Romantic couple embracing and kissing in sequence of photos on a cloudy beach with crashing waves in the background.

Have the couple stand apart. Give them a countdown and let them run towards each other and embrace. I always encourage one to pick the other up, but I also speak to the couple before, to make sure this is something they are comfortable with.

TIP: Ask clients not to kiss in this pose to avoid awkward or unflattering faces. Instead, have the couple focus on smiling at each other. A natural smile almost always comes during these. You can always have them repeat and add a kiss, if desired.

Couple in matching white sweaters and jeans embrace joyfully on a sunny beach with ocean waves in the background.

Have one client stand behind the other. The client in the front will face you and close their eyes. Signal the client in the back (quietly) to run and grab their partner. Let this be a complete surprise for the client in the front! This is nearly a foolproof way to catch those genuine and natural smiles.

TIP: Tell the client in the back to be gentle and to have a soft grip. I also like to make sure they understand that we don't want to lose their faces, so they should aim slightly to the side of their partner.

A sequence of playful moments on a cloudy beach as someone bends backwards in a flowing motion on the sand.

This Prompt is more like a game. It can be done more than one way! I definitely recommend doing both to maximize your success in capturing the real connection between the two without any unflattering photos.

Option 1 : Have one client kiss the other everywhere but the lips. I prefer to start with this one because it is a little calmer. I will even give the client some time to think about where they want to kiss. Make sure they do this a bit slower and remind the other client to continue to smile.

Option 2: Play keep away! Let client A try to kiss client B on the lips. Client B is going to do their best to keep them from achieving this goal. After a few tries, instruct them to go ahead and kiss.

TIP: For option 1, offer some suggestions. Do not leave it entirely up to them. This way, you avoid any awkwardness for you and them. You also take some pressure off. ( EX. forehead, hand, nose, etc.). You may even want to give them a limit on how many times to kiss their partner.

What Really Changed My

Couples Photography

Have you ever gotten home from a shoot and opened your editing software, only to find that some of your poses feel awkward or stiff? Because, SAME!

Unless you are planning on photographing professional models, you may encounter some challenges in capturing natural poses and conveying genuine emotion. For my style of photography, and not every photographer will agree, I focus on telling a story. I may not know the couple, and honestly, I don't have to. I come to a shoot with several prompts. This is the key to telling each couple's story. Now, I do not bet my entire shoot on prompts. I have poses in mind related to the style of shoot I am doing, but nothing beats prompting your clients to let their personalities shine through in your photos. When I give a prompt to my couples, I give enough instruction to guide them but also enough room to let their relationship be the star of the show. After all, isn't that the point? Using this tool (prompting), I can photograph a couple who are complete strangers to me, and successfully encompass their relationship through my photography.

When I stopped stockpiling poses and started incorporating prompts into my shoots, I noticed a huge difference in my photos. My portfolio was no longer 'flat' or 'basic'. I am able to use the same prompts on different couples and achieve different photos. Why? Because I am no longer capturing two couples in a stiff pose, smiling at the camera. Instead, I allow my clients the freedom to just be themselves. With just a little guidance from me, AKA giving prompts, I usually get those real smiles and in between moments that we call 'candid'.

Of course, posed and editorial photos should be included in the client's gallery, but don't forget to add in genuine moments. Next time you're on a shoot, try some of these prompts. Don't be afraid to have the couple do each prompt multiple times. Follow your instinct and make adjustments, see what happens!